Contents

Textbook and readings

There is no assigned text. Generally you can expect one or two readings to be assigned for each lecture. Many readings will be available as pdfs, downloadable from the course website. Others, available in hard copy only, will be on reserve in the departmental office (TLS 312) in the filing cabinet next to the window. You are free to check out copy #2 for 3 hours; copy #1 should stay in the office, i.e., so one is always there for others to photocopy.

Supplementary Reading

Topics

Additional Reading

Species as ranked taxa and species concepts

Application of Evolutionary Species concept.pdf Species concept for prokaryotes.pdf Is the BSC showing its age?.pdfImportance of stating species concept for conservation purposes.pdf Impact of species concepts on biodiversity studies.pdfThe need for specifying species concepts.pdfOn the failure of modern species concepts.pdf Species as ranked taxa.pdf

Does the choice of species concept result in an increase in bird species?.pdf Method for delimiting Cohesion speceis.pdf

Grading

Lab and take home exercises

20%

100 pts

Midterm

20%

100 pts

Term paper

25%

115 pts

Nomenclature exercise

2%

10 pts

Final

35%

175 pts

Total

100%

500 pts

Term paper

Each student will be required to prepare a paper that will be due on December 4th. Styles that have been adopted in the past include (1) a literature review
that could be incorporated into a thesis chapter or (2) an NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant proposal. Another angle would be to (3) review a subject relevant to systematic theory or methodology. If you are considering the DDIG option this year's Dissertation Improvement Grants will be due on 20 November. Visit http://researchfunding.duke.edu/detail.asp?OppID=587 htm